Lille: Forged tickets to blame

Monday 22 January 2007 00:02 BST

Lille claim crowd disturbances at their Champions League clash against Manchester United occurred because Red Devils fans forged tickets ahead of the game.

UEFA have launched an investigation following Tuesday night's events at the Stade Felix-Bollaert, which saw United supporters appearing to be in danger of being crushed against a 10-foot-high safety barrier in their end.

A supply of counterfeit tickets has been blamed for the alarming situation developing, as it seemed too many people had been crammed into that part of the stadium.

Lille, however, have pointed the finger at the English club.

Les Dogues director general Xavier Thuilot told a press conference: "We sent their quota of places to Manchester several weeks ago, as is the usual thing to do. But the English club, instead of distributing the tickets to their supporters on their arrival at the stadium (or) on their descent from the bus, sent them out a month ago.

"The result - some very good forgeries, which have allowed some supporters to enter the stand reserved for them. All the forged tickets on the night were Manchester United tickets."

United rejected Lille's claims about the tickets.

A club spokesman said: "Tickets were distributed by recorded delivery 11 days before the game or for collection from February 1. We would normally send out tickets for our home games at Old Trafford six weeks before the match and we have no problems with forgeries."

It is understood United will strongly rebut Lille's claims in their report to UEFA and will raise the poor quality of the tickets provided by the French club.